Image Credit: CONTRIBUTED
August 08, 2014 - 6:56 AM
Looking around the city council table, there are a lot of, how do I put this gently, wise faces, especially now that the youngest member, Wes Hopkin left for law school in Toronto.
The 25-year-old councillor, who 22 when elected, brought a youthful spirit and fresh outlook to city governance. At his last council meeting on Tuesday night, Hopkin gave a speech about his past three years on council and some words for the public as we head towards a municipal election this November.
“We need leaders who will acknowledge the realities of governing a 21st century city,” Hopkin said.
“As I leave and the average age around the table skyrockets a few decades, I would ask my colleagues and the community to keep the youth in mind as they make decisions going forward,” he said. “Not just the interest of youth and young families, but… the qualities of youth that are still necessary for our community to prosper.”
Hopkin is right that we need to continue to move our city forward in a positive way and make our community a place where young families want to make a new home, raise a family and start a business; and provide more business, career and education opportunities for young adults and youths.
Early last week, I met with Hopkin after he made is resignation announcement. He said he’s encouraged a few young people around town to run in the election but is not sure if they will or not.
Nominees will start to roll in soon and it will be interesting to see who steps forward for one of the leadership roles up for grabs.
As Hopkin said in his speech, regardless of who the new council members are, they need to have the best interest of the city and community in mind; That includes the young and the old, the newborn babies and fading grandparents.
Age is, after all, just a number. And wanting to improve your community is a belief and goal that anyone can hold.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014